SC’IȺNEW Nation is honoured to welcome paddlers, their families, and guests into Beecher Bay on July 30 to kick off Tribal Journeys 2025. This will be one of the most significant gatherings SC’IȺNEW has ever hosted – a celebration of community, culture, and tradition.
Tribal Journeys will take place from July 30th to August 5th. SC’IȺNEW’s host day is July 30, with departure scheduled for July 31.
Canoes are primarily expected to arrive between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., with the latest arrivals estimated by 3:00 p.m.
A shuttle service will run approximately every 30 minutes between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with stops at:
- The overflow parking lot at the intersection of East Sooke Road and Sutiacum Road
- The longhouse at 4901 East Sooke Road
- The East Sooke Regional Park / Aylard Farm parking lot
Overflow parking is available due to limited space at Aylard Farm. We ask all visitors to follow posted signage as well as the advice of staff and traffic control personnel on site.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, drinking water, shaded rest areas, and washroom facilities will be available throughout the day. We encourage attendees to stay hydrated and make use of shaded spaces as needed.
SC’IȺNEW Nation is proud to be a host Nation for this meaningful event. We look forward to welcoming you to our territory and sharing a powerful journey of connection, community healing, and celebration.
This year’s theme: “The Dam Removed, Rivers Reborn, Spirit Renewed”
With this theme, we honour the renewal of our waters and the resilience of our people. As the rivers once held back now run free, we move forward together – carrying the strength of our ancestors, the hopes of our youth, and the healing of our Nations.
Our Canoe Family also carries an important message: A Pull For Hope.
We will be paddling for those facing cancer, for the families carrying heavy burdens, and for the loved ones we’ve lost. Every stroke on this journey is a prayer, a promise, and a reminder that no one faces their battles alone.
This is a journey of healing – for the land, the water, and for each other. Together, we pull for those who can’t and those who one day will.
Our Tribal Journeys committee would like to say thank you to:
Fast Eddy, Russ, Traci, Rick P., Jay C., Dale M., Harvey C., Anita A., Daron G.J., Harvey F., Sheeba, the Ocean Resources team, and our Elders for guidance;
the CRD (Capital Regional District), the HAT (Habitat Acquisition Trust), LA Limousine, Flameless Roofing, Quality Aluminum Railings, Ratcliff LLP, Keycorp, the WCMRC (Western Canada Marine Response Corporation), East Sooke Grocer, School District 62, and DND for tents, chairs, and tables;
the car parkers, flaggers, security, Spirit Bay residents, community members helping with the longhouse, and all those who provided support and donations.